### §2670. Insurance on motor vehicles in foreign countries; tie lines and teletype equipment; ice and drinking water; excise taxes on negotiable instruments; remains of deceased persons; relief, protection, and burial of seamen; acknowledgement of services of foreign vessels and aircraft; rentals and leases

The Secretary of State is authorized to—

(a) obtain insurance on official motor vehicles operated by the Department of State in foreign countries, and pay the expenses incident thereto;

(b) rent tie lines and teletype equipment;

(c) provide ice and drinking water for United States Embassies and Consulates abroad;

(d) pay excise taxes on negotiable instruments which are negotiated by the Department of State abroad;

(e) Omitted;

(f) pay expenses incident to the relief, protection, and burial of American seamen, and alien seamen from United States vessels in foreign countries and in the United States Territories and possessions;

(g) pay the expenses incurred in the acknowledgment of the services of officers and crews of foreign vessels and aircraft in rescuing American seamen, airmen, or citizens from shipwreck or other catastrophe abroad or at sea;

(h) rent or lease, for periods of less than ten years, such offices, buildings, grounds, and living quarters for the use of the Foreign Service abroad as he may deem necessary, and make payments therefor in advance;

(i) maintain, improve, and repair properties rented or leased pursuant to authority contained in subsection (h) of this section and furnish fuel, water, and utilities for such properties;

(j) provide emergency medical attention and dietary supplements, and other emergency assistance, for United States citizens incarcerated abroad or destitute United States citizens abroad who are unable to obtain such services otherwise, such assistance to be provided on a reimbursable basis to the extent feasible;

(k) subject to the availability of appropriated funds, obtain insurance on the historic and artistic articles of furniture, fixtures, and decorative objects which may from time-to-time be within the responsibility of the Fine Arts Committee of the Department of State for the Diplomatic Rooms of the Department;

(l) make payments in advance, of the United States share of necessary expenses for international fisheries commissions, from appropriations available for such purpose;

(m) establish, maintain, and operate passport and dispatch agencies; and

(n) pay expenses to provide internet services in residences owned or leased by the United States Government in foreign countries for the use of Department personnel where Department personnel receive a post hardship differential equivalent to 30 percent or more above basic compensation.

(Aug. 1, 1956, ch. 841, title I, §3, 70 Stat. 890; Pub. L. 95–45, §2, June 15, 1977, 91 Stat. 221; 1977 Reorg. Plan No. 2, §9(a)(7), 42 F.R. 62461, 91 Stat. 1639; Pub. L. 95–426, title I, §108(a), Oct. 7, 1978, 92 Stat. 966; renumbered title I, Pub. L. 97–241, title II, §202(a), Aug. 24, 1982, 96 Stat. 282; Pub. L. 100–204, title I, §126(b), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1342; Pub. L. 102–138, title I, §166, Oct. 28, 1991, 105 Stat. 676; Pub. L. 103–236, title I, §162(k)(3), Apr. 30, 1994, 108 Stat. 409; Pub. L. 118–31, div. F, title LXII, §6225, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 980.)

#### **Editorial Notes**

#### Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 170h of Title 5 prior to the general revision and enactment of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, by Pub. L. 89–554, §1, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 378.

Subsec. (e) of this section, relating to the payment of the actual expenses of preparing and transporting to their former homes the remains of persons, not United States Government employees, who die away from their homes while participating in international educational exchange activities under the jurisdiction of the Department of State, was omitted pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1977, §9(a)(7), 42 F.R. 62461, 91 Stat. 1639, set out under section 1461 of this title, effective on or before July 1, 1978, at such time as specified by the President, which abolished the functions of the Secretary of State under subsec. (e).

#### Amendments

2023—Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 118–31 added subsec. (n).

1994—Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 103–236 added subsec. (m).

1991—Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 102–138 added subsec. (l).

1987—Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 100–204 added subsec. (k).

1978—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 95–426 inserted "or destitute United States citizens abroad" after "incarcerated abroad".

1977—Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 95–45 added subsec. (j).

#### **Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries**

#### Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–236 applicable with respect to officials, offices, and bureaus of Department of State when executive orders, regulations, or departmental directives implementing the amendments by sections 161 and 162 of Pub. L. 103–236 become effective, or 90 days after Apr. 30, 1994, whichever comes earlier, see section 161(b) of Pub. L. 103–236, as amended, set out as a note under section 2651a of this title.

#### Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–426, title I, §108(b), Oct. 7, 1978, 92 Stat. 966, provided that: "The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1978."

#### Providing Medical Services or Related Support in Response to Coronavirus Pandemic

Pub. L. 116–136, div. B, title XI, §21008, Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 592, provided that: "The Secretary of State, to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, may exercise the authorities of section 3(j) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2670(j)) to provide medical services or related support for private United States citizens, nationals, and permanent resident aliens abroad, or third country nationals connected to such persons or to the diplomatic or development missions of the United States abroad, who are unable to obtain such services or support otherwise: Provided, That such assistance shall be provided on a reimbursable basis to the extent feasible: Provided further, That such reimbursements may be credited to the applicable Department of State appropriation and shall remain available until expended: Provided further, That the Secretary shall prioritize providing medical services or related support to individuals eligible for the health program under section 904 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4084): Provided further, That the authority made available pursuant to this section shall expire on September 30, 2022."

[For definition of "coronavirus" as used in section 21008 of Pub. L. 116–136, set out above, see section 23005 of Pub. L. 116–136, set out as a note under section 162b of Title 2, The Congress.]